Electrical switch and interlocking casing



J .'H,. PICKARECK. ELECTRICAL SWITCH. AND INTERLOCKINGCASING. APPLICATiON HLED MAY 9. 19,18.

1&1 $488. P ente Apr- 11, 1922 ATTORNEY J. H. PICKARECK. ELECTHECAL SWITCH AND mumbcme CASING.

APPLYICAVTIONFIILEQMAYQ, 191a. I Patented SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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J. H. PICKARECKI ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

PPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1918. I

Patented Apr.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' JOSEPH H. PICKARECK, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO SQUARE D COMPANY,

OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

To allwh'om it may concern v p Be it knownthat I, J OSEPH H. PICKARECK a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of My invention relates to electrical switch of the general type having an enclosing casing, of metal, vor other suitable material, insulated from the electrical contacts of such switch, of the general type known'as armor clad switches. I

One of the objects of my invention is to equipa switch of this general type with an interlocking cover and. switch mechanism whereby itis impossible to open the cover of Such casing without first'opening theswitch, or, in other words, throwing it to an off position. These switches perform a very de: sirable function in thatthey prevent workmen or others from coming into contact with the live parts of the switch, under normal conditions, for,'when the cover is open, the

switch is always in anfofi"? position. 4 However, these switches equipped solely as above stated, have the serious defect of rendering "it impossible for an inspector to eiramine the switch mechanism or to run a test while the switch is in on position. Therefore, "when an. inspector or test man inspects such switch,

it fi's, always necessary to shut off the conmade. It is, therefore, a further object of my in vention to so design the interlocking 'mecha nism that such mechanism may be tempo:

rarily rendered ineffective by an authorized person suitably equipped witha'key .or simi-' 'lar means whereby access may be had to the interior of the casing while the {switch is c osed and also .whereby the switch may be closed while the cover. is open. It will, there fore, be seen that asuitably equipped-authorized person may vinspect the switch mecha-. nism withoutinterfering with the customers power, as hem'ay then open the box or casing without .first I opening the switch.

It is afurther object ofthis invention to soTlesig'n the interlocking mechanism that at the completion of the test or inspection Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Kay 9, 1918.,

power before such inspection can be 'sitionthrofugh themedium offthe o ;in t'helcover and the apertured PIOJBCtlOl'l 5 Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

Serial mi. 233,429.

It is' a further object of this invention to simplify the construction of armorclad switches and to design a very rugged and practically foolproof striicture.

It is a further object of the invention to,

so design the armorclad switch that it is im possible to close such switchwhile the coveris open.

One of the embodiments of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein similar parts are designated by.

similar reference characters.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the armorclad switch with the cover closed and the switch thrown in onposition and with interlocking mechanism in" eflectiveor operative p'ositionf.

, ig. 2 is-aperspective View of the armorcla-d switch with the switch mechanism in on positionand the interlocking mechanism-in inoperative or ineffective position with the cover partly open; and

clad switch with the cover open showingthe "interior of .such mechanism with the switch in off position. j;

Referring now to the drawing in detail, 1 represents the bottom portion of the armorclad iswitch casing and 2the upper or cover portion. Such portionsare hingedly connected at'3and may be locked in closed poening 4 .passing "therethrough, whereby a padlock may be used to securely lock-said cover in closed position. -'The details of the electrical portion of-the switch mechanism is not shown in this case butmay be ofany suitable type. Only so much of the switch is shown as cooperates'with the interlocking mechanism. SaidZ-electricalswitch is operated by a U shaped member 6 pivotally related to the base of the boxv at each side thereof and provided with an external handle whereby Fig. 3 is a perspective-view of the 'armorpins 12.

arcuate member with thefinger 9.

ever, when the switch is 1n off position,

such switch mechanism may be operated even when the box is closed and locked. This U- shaped member 6 carries a lug 8 with a projecting finger S), which projecting finger,

therefore, describes an arc of a circle whose center is on .a line joining the two points at which said 'U-shaped member is pivoted. A laterally movable strap member or bar 10, which is also formed on the arc of a circle concentric with that described by the finger 9, S provided in a curved recessed portion of the box top and is guided in its lateral motion by suitable slotsll cooperating with The guiding pins 12 are rigidly fastened in the cover 2 and the arcuate member 10 slides in the recessed portion 13 of such cover. Such arcuate member 10 is designed to engage under the finger 9 throughout the major portion of the stroke or travel of such finger 9,.that is to say, from the on position almost to the completion of its stroke to the off position. It will thus be seen that while such switch-is in closed or on position, such cover is prevented from being opened by the engagement of such Howthe finger 9 passes clear of the extreme rear end of such ,arcuate member and the cover may then be opened. T

To secure one of the objects of the invention, namely, freedom or flexibility of oper ation desired by the test manor inspector,

whereby he may open the-cover while' the switch is in on position, the arcuate member 10 is provided with an outwardly or laterally-extending controlling arm or bar 14. which extend'sthrough an aperture 15 in the wall of the top of the box and may be operated through the medium of the handle 16, whereby the member 10 may be caused to engage or disengage the finger 9. Almmg openings 17 areprov1ded in a lug 18 rigidly fastened to the top of the box and in the lateral arm 14, whereby such arcuate member 10 may be locked in engagement with thefinger 9 throughout the major portion of the stroke of such finger by a padlock 19 having its hook or bail-shaped portion 20 passing through the alining openings 17. The test man or meter man is provided with a key fitting such lock 19 whereby he may render the interlocking mecha-' nism temporarily ineffective.

, Referring now to Fig. 3, it will" be seen that such figure shows the interior of the box omitting the enclosed switch mechanism. The electrical portions of such switch, that is to say. knife blades and cooperating contacts and fuses are not shown but may be off position temporarily locked in such position. This locking mechanism, whereby arcuate member 22. Such member 22 is rigidly fastened to the cover 2 and the center of curvature of both its interior and exterior edges is approximately on the axis of the hinges of said cover 2 whereby, when the cover is opened, said member 22 projects through an opening 23 in the lower portion 1 of the box. It will thus be seen that, upon attempting to close the switch, the member 21 contacts with the member 22 and-thereby renders such closing of the switch impossible. iVhen the box cover 2 is closed, such member 22 is withdrawn from the path of motion of the member 21 'and the switch may then be closed. Projecting from the top of the box interiorly and downwardly is an arm 24 which, when the cover is closed, lies in the path of movement of one of the arms of the U-shaped operating membel- 6. This arm 24 does not normally engage the U-shaped member 6 but only engages such member when the U- shaped member is thrown to the extreme limit of motion in its off direction, that is to say, when one of the arms of such U- shaped member contacts with the stop 25. The operation of this look ofi' mechanism takes place when the following cycle of operations is performed, namely, when the switch is thrown to its extreme off posi tion, while the box top is open and the box top thereafter closed. It will thus be seerrthat the member 24 then lies above onefiof the arms of the U-shaped member 6 and prevents such member from moving over so as to throw the switch in the on position. The cover may then be locked in closed position by means of a suitable padlock passing through the apertured member 5, where by the switch is permanently locked in 011 position.

The box is provided with suitable knockouts 26 to accomodate a particular type of wiring. The box. is further provided with angle irons 27 riveted adjacent its corners and also with an opening at each end 28, whereby any desired type of end plate may be removably held in position, either by the medium of bolts or screws passing through openings 29 or simply by the. top of the box which securely locks such end plates in position when said top is closed.

It will thus be seen that a very simple and effective mechanism has been designed which has a great number of interrelated functions, for example. cooperating, interlocking, cover and switch mechanism, means whereby such interlocking may be rendered ineffective by a suitably equipped authorized person and cooperating elements whereby it -is impossible to close such switch without first closing the box and, further, with means whereby said switch may be permanently locked in off position.

It is tobe understood that the above specifically described form is only one of many a possible forms of devices for securing these desired results and such specific description and drawings, must, therefore, be considered as illustrative and not limiting the invention to the specific form shown, except as hereinafter defined by the following claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an enclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided-with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, an arcuate member non-rotatively mounted on the inside of the cover, and switch operatingmeans c'o-operating with the arcuate mem ber to normally lock the cover when the switch is closed, the switch operating means being adapted to engage with said member during a substantial portion of its-movement from one position to the other by reason of the arcuate formation of the member.

2. In an enclosed switch, in combination, a casin provided with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, an arcuate member non-rotatively mounted on the inside of the cover, and switch operating means member when the switch is open, whereby the cover is normally locked only when the switch is closed, said finger engaging said arcuate member during a substantial portion of the movement of said switch operating means from one position to the other.

4. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a recessed cover, the combination of an arcuate member slidably mounted in said recess and movable with the cover, and switch operating means co-operating with thearcuate member to normally lock the cover'when the switch is closed.

In an enclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided with a recessed cover, an

arcuate member slidably mounted in the recess and movable with the cover, and switch operatlng means carrying a finger normally engaging the arcuate member when the switch is in closed position, and disengaged from the arcuate member when theswitch is opened, whereby the cover is normally locked when the switch is closed.

6. In :in'enclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided with a recessed cover, carrying guide pins, an arcuate member slidably mounted in such recess and provided with guidin slots co-operating with said guiding pins, said member being movable with the cover, and switch operating means-co-operating with the arcuate member to normally lock the cover when the switch is closed.

7.In an enclosed switch, in'co mbination, a casing provided with a cover, an arcuate member carried by the cover and movable therewith, switch operating means cooperating with the arcuate member and in substantial engagement with said member during a substantial portion of the movement of said switch operating means from one position to another, an interlocking controlling means for moving said arcuatc member into and out of cooperative relation with said switch operating means.

whereby normally the switch operating means and cover are interlocking, and a removable lock cooperatin with said interlocking controlling means for normally insuring said interlocking, the interlock being rendered inefiective by removal of the lock and subsequent manipulation of said interlocking controlling means.

8. In an enclosed switch, incombination, a casing provided with a cover, an'arcuatc member carried by'the cover and movable therewith, switch operatin means carrying a finger engaging with the arcuate member during a substantial portion of the movement of said switch operating means from one position to another, an interlocking controlling means for moving said arcuate member into and-,out of cooperative relation with said switch operating means whereby normally the switch operating means and cover are interlocking, and a removable lock cooperating with said interlocking controllin means for normally insuring said interlocking, the interlock being rendered ineffective by removal of the lock and subsequent manipulation'of said interlocking controlling means.

9. In an enclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided with a cover, an arcuate member carried by the cover and movable therewith, switch operating means carrying a finger normally engaging the arcuate member during a substantial portion of the movement of said means from one position to another and when the switch is closed, and'disengaged from the arcuate member when the switch is open whereby'the cover and switch are normally interlockin an interlockin controlling means, and a removable lock cooperating with said interlocking controlling means normally. insuring such interlocking, the interlocking being ten'iporarily rendered inefiective by removal of the lock and subsequent manipulation of said interlocking controlling means.

10. In an enclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided with a cover, an arcuate member carried by the cover and movable therewith, switch operating means cooperating with the arcuate member during a substantial portion of the movement of said means from one position to another, whereby normally the switch operating means and cover are interlocking, and means comprising a laterally extending controlling arm :t'astcned to said arcuate member and a removable lock whereby the interlocking may be rendered temporarily ineffective by the removal of the lock and subsequent manipulation of the interlocking controlling means.

11. An enclosed switch, in con'ibination, a casing provided -with a. cover haying guiding pins, an arcuate member having' guiding slots co-operating with said \guiding pins and movable with the cover, switch operating means co-operating with said arcuate member whereby normally the switch operating means and cover are interlocking, and means whereby the interlocking may be ren dered temporarily ineffective. 152. In an enclosed switch, in combination. a casing provided with a cover, an arcuate member -arried by the cover and movable therewith, switch operating means cooperating with said a-rcuate member whereby normally the switch operating means and a cuate member are interlocking, a. laterally extending movable controlling arm fastened to said arcuatemember, said controlling arm having means whereby it may be temporarily locked in position relative to the cover to render the switch and cover interlocking.

13. In an enclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided with a cover, a laterally slidable l)i11 C2l.lllQ(l internally by the cover, and switchoperating means co-operating Wltlll said bar and normally rendering said switch and cover interlocking. of means whereby the interlocking may be endered temporarily ineffective.

1%. In an enclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided with a cover having guiding pins. a laterally slidable bar provided with guiding slots" co-operating with the guiding pins carried by the cover, switch operating means co-operating with said bar and normally rendering said switch and cover interlocking, and means whereby the I temporarily rendered ineffective, comprising a laterally extending controlling arm secured to said slidable bar.

16. In an enclosed switch, in combination. a casing provided with a cover, a laterally slidable bar carried by the cover, switch operating means co-operating with said laterally slidable bar and normally rendering said switch and cover interlocking, and means whereby said interlocking may be temporarily rendered ineffective, comprising a laterally extending controlling arm secured to said slidable bar, said controlling bar having means whereby it may be tem porarily locked in position to render said switch and cover interlocking.

17. In anrenclosed switch, in combination, a casing provided with a cover having guiding pins, a laterally slidable bar having guidin'g slots co-opera-t-ing with saidguiding pins, movable with said cover, and switch operating means co-operating with said laterally slidable bar whereby the' cover and switch are normally interlocking, and means whereby the interlocking may be rendered temporarily ineffective, comprising a laterally extending controlling arm secured to said laterally slidable bar and provided with means. whereby it may be temporarily locked in position to render said switch and cover interlocking.

18. In an enclosed switch casing provided with a cover, interlocking members carried by said cover, one of said members comprising an arcuate bar with which said swixch operating means cooperates to lock the cow er closed when the switch is closed, and the other of said members comprising a member adapted to be projected through and into the casing when the cover is open to interlock the switch operating means open when the cover is open, and interlocking disabling means comprising an cxteriorly accessible interlockingcontrolling member for moving said bar whereby the cover may be opened whilethe switch remains closed.

JOSEPH H. PIUKARECK.

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